Legal Office Assistant

Certificate

This curriculum prepares students with the skills needed for legal office work, including keyboarding, word processing, machine tran-scription, communications, and specialized le-gal courses. Graduates are qualified for posi-tions as an assistant in a legal or governmental office.

Admission to the Program: Open

First-Time Enrollees

Complete an application for admission and, if desired, apply for financial aid.

Send an official high school transcript or GED score report to the Admissions and Records Of-fice.

Complete the placement exam, COMPASS.

Meet with an advisor/counselor to select classes and complete the registration process.

This course is an exploration of office careers. Office professionals in areas such as: medical, legal, government, education, manufacturing, and financial services will present synopses of career opportunities. Students will be required to participate in seminars to discuss and report on the information presented. It is recommended that students take this course during the first semester of an office program. Offered: Fall or SpringApplicable toward graduation at Sandburg where program structure permits:Degree or Certificate: AAS, AGS, and Certificates where applicable. General Education -- Not Applicable

AOP.101 Keyboarding & Formatting 1

2

2

3

This is the first course for individuals who have had no significant prior instruction in keyboarding. Instruction emphasizes the concepts and techniques involved in mastering the computer keyboard, various letter styles, reports, and tables. Minimum five-minute timing speed on straight copy material of 30 gross words per minute (with five errors or less) is required to successfully complete the course. Offered: Fall or Spring or SummerApplicable toward graduation at Sandburg where program structure permits:Degree or Certificate: AAS, AGS, and Certificates where applicable. General Education -- Not Applicable

AOP.102 Keyboarding & Formatting 2

2

2

3

This is the second semester course in keyboarding. The concepts and techniques presented in AOP.101 will be strengthened with more attention on special letters, forms, tables, and reports. Speed and accuracy development will be stressed. Minimum five-minute timing speed on straight-copy material of 45 gross words per minute (with five errors or less) is required to successfully complete the course. Students also enrolled in AOP.116 are expected to maintain concurrent enrollment to ensure success in this course. Offered: Fall or Spring or Summer Prerequisites: AOP.101 with a minimum grade of C Concurrent enrollment in AOP.116. Medical Administrative,Specialist and Legal Office Assistant majors are exempt,from the AOP.116 prerequsite.Applicable toward graduation at Sandburg where program structure permits:Degree or Certificate: AAS, AGS, and Certificates where applicable. General Education -- Not Applicable

AOP.120 Legal Terminology & Concepts

2

2

This course provides a logical frame of reference in the study of basic concepts and terminology in the legal field. In addition, this course will provide an analysis of the court system and the procedures involved in practice before the courts. Offered: FallApplicable toward graduation at Sandburg where program structure permits:Degree or Certificate: AAS, AGS, and Certificates where applicable. General Education -- Not Applicable

AOP.201 Business English

2

2

This course provides a comprehensive coverage of effective business communications. In addition, it is designed to review grammar, punctuation, capitalization, number usage, abbreviation styles, and spelling. Offered: Spring Prerequisites: A score of 38 or higher on the writing section of the COMPASS exam or completion of ENG.098 with a grade of C or betterApplicable toward graduation at Sandburg where program structure permits:Degree or Certificate: AAS, AGS, and Certificates where applicable. General Education -- Not Applicable

AOP.220 Legal Document Processing

1

4

3

This course explores the preparation of legal documents. Emphasis is placed on developing and understanding the different formatting styles used in the legal field. Students will also be introduced to software packages used in the preparation of legal documents. Students who complete this course will strengthen their legal vocabulary, in addition to their grammar, punctuation, and proofreading skills. Offered: Spring Prerequisites: Take AOP.116 or concurrent enrollment; Take AOP.120Applicable toward graduation at Sandburg where program structure permits:Degree or Certificate: AAS, AGS, and Certificates where applicable. General Education -- Not Applicable

BOC.101 Business Records Management

2

2

This course focuses on the development, management, and maintenance of a record management system. Basic storage and retrieval methods will be discussed and applied. Records retention, transfer, and disposition, according to records retention schedules, will also be presented. In addition, records and information management technology will be discussed. Offered: Fall or Spring or SummerApplicable toward graduation at Sandburg where program structure permits:Degree or Certificate: AAS, AGS, and Certificates where applicable. General Education -- Not Applicable

BOC.103 Office Technology

2

2

3

This course introduces students to a personal information management program, the electronic search and retrieval of information, basic office machines, and voice recognition software. In addition, an in-depth study of a personal information management system; voice recognition software; navigating, searching, and downloading files on the Internet; and using basic office machines will be included. Offered: Spring Prerequisites: AOP.101 with a grade of C or betterApplicable toward graduation at Sandburg where program structure permits:Degree or Certificate: AAS, AGS, and Certificates where applicable. General Education -- Not Applicable

BOC.120 Customer Service

2

2

This course introduces students to the concepts and skills needed for success in retail and business careers. Topics include listening techniques, verbal and non-verbal communication skills, and the effective use of technology. The ability to effectively interact with customers, to handle customer service issues, and to establish customer relationships and loyalty will be emphasized. Students will also be introduced to methods for effectively managing stress and conflict. Offered: Fall or SpringApplicable toward graduation at Sandburg where program structure permits:Degree or Certificate: AAS, AGS, and Certificates where applicable. General Education -- Not Applicable

ICT.110 Computer Software Applications

3

3

This course in software applications will provide students with an overview of a computer operating system and commonly used computer software. Students will gain experience with word processing and database management tasks, presentation software, and spreadsheets. Additional software programs associated with the Windows environment will be explored. This course may be used to satisfy the computer requirement common for students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university. Offered: Fall or Spring or Summer Prerequisites: Take AOP.101 or or BOC.107 or appropriate articulated high school credit.Applicable toward graduation at Sandburg where program structure permits:Degree or Certificate: AA, AS, AAS, AGS, and Certificates where applicable. General Education -- Not Applicable Elective Only

PSY.101 Introduction to Psychology

3

3

This course is designed to provide an understanding of a variety of topics within the field of psychology. It is not only designed for students planning on majoring in psychology, but for those who have an interest in the scientific basis of behavior, thought, and the physiological processes that underlie each. Offered: Fall or Spring or Summer Prerequisites: A COMPASS Reading score of 83 or above is required to enroll in this course, or RDG.096 with a grade of C or better or an ACT Reading score of 20 or higher.Applicable toward graduation at Sandburg where program structure permits:Degree or Certificate: AA, AS, AFA, AAS, AGS, and Certificates where applicable. IAI Course No. S6 900 General Education -- Social Science

SOC.101 Introduction to Sociology

3

3

The purpose of this course is to acquaint the student with the discipline of sociology as it applies to contemporary American society. This course provides an orientation to the student interested in social science or the helping professions. Among specific topics to be studied are: how the sociologist gathers information, the importance of culture and symbols, personality development, the changing structure of the family, social class and inequality, race and ethnicity, and deviant behavior. Offered: Fall or Spring or SummerApplicable toward graduation at Sandburg where program structure permits:Degree or Certificate; AA, AS, AFA, AAS, AGS, and Certificates where applicable. IAI Course No. S7 900 General Education -- Social Science Human Relations

SPE.110 Interpersonal Communication

3

3

This course attempts to develop an awareness of, and an insight into, the choices that are made by participation in face-to-face, non-public, human communication. The text and lectures are designed to create an understanding of theories and principles. Experiential exercises encourage the student to apply this understanding, and to use it in interpreting his/her own and other people's attempts at communication. Among the topics covered are the communication process, the self as a communicator, verbal and nonverbal language, cooperation and conflict, etc. This course is intended for persons planning to pursue a baccalaureate degree and those who desire to improve their verbal communication. Offered: Fall or Spring or SummerApplicable toward graduation at Sandburg where program structure permits:Degree or Certificate: AA, AS, AAS, AGS, and Certificates where applicable. General Education -- Not Applicable Elective Only Human Relations